Objectives: . Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes. Methods: . After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC. Results: . NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways. Conclusion . NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.

Objectives: . Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes. Methods: . After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC. Results: . NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways. Conclusion . NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.

Objectives: . Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes. Methods: . After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC. Results: . NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways. Conclusion . NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.

In cases where a tracheal injury exceeds half the length of the adult trachea or one-third of the length of the child trachea, it becomes difficult to perform end-to-end anastomosis after tracheal resection due to excessive tension at the anastomosis site. In such cases, tracheal replacement therapy is required. Advances in tissue engineering technology have led to the development of tissue engineering tracheal substitutes, which have promising applications. Hydrogels, which are highly hydrated and possess a good three-dimensional network structure, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, biodegradability, and modifiability, have had wide applications in the field of tissue engineering. This article provides a review of the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and effects of various hydrogels commonly used in tissue engineering trachea in recent years. Additionally, the article discusses and offers prospects for the future application of hydrogels in the field of tissue engineering trachea.

As the prevalence of chronic diseases increases among occupational populations in China, the focus of occupational health management has shifted from ″occupational disease prevention and control″ to ″occupational disease and chronic disease prevention and control″. At present, occupational medical examinations (OME) are mainly focused on occupational disease prevention and control, and generally lack of chronic disease indicators such as blood lipids and blood glucose, limiting the role of OME in life-cycle health management of workers. To address this gap, it is necessary to incorporate chronic disease screening indicators into OME. Integrating OME and chronic disease screening faces bottlenecks, including concerns about increased operating costs in small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the risk of employment discrimination caused by the leakage of employee health privacy. A tiered strategy is recommended. Incorporating low-cost indicators such as blood lipids, waist circumference into routine examinations, and customizing advanced screening for elder or high-risk position workers. The prioritization of screening indicators can be determined by expert consultation and employer-employee discussions. Meanwhile, the results of chronic disease screening indicators should not be included in occupational health surveillance records to protect workers′ privacy. In summary, expanding OME to cover more chronic disease indicators provides valuable economic and social benefits. In the long run, common chronic disease screening indicators should be included in the regular medical examination indicators of OME, thereby reducing the burden of chronic diseases on occupational populations and promoting the health management of occupational populations.

ObjectiveTo prepare oral nanoemulsions encapsulating essential oil from Alpinia zerumbet fructus（EOFAZ） and to investigate its pro-absorption effect in vitro and distribution in vivo. MethodThe proteoglycan conjugate polysaccharides of vinegar-processed Bupleuri Radix-bovine serum albumin（VBCP-BSA） was prepared by Maillard reaction of VBCP and BSA. Taking VBCP-BSA as emulsifier， vitamin B₁₂（VB₁₂） as absorption enhancer， and medium chain triglycerides mixed with EOFAZ as oil phase， the nanoemulsions loaded with EOFAZ was prepared by high energy emulsification method. The particle size， particle size distribution， surface Zeta potential， EOFAZ content and appearance and morphology of the nanoemulsions were characterized， and fluorescein tracer method was used to investigate the absorption effect of fluorescein-labeled EOFAZ nanoemulsions in vitro and their distribution in vivo. ResultVBCP-BSA was formed by Maillard reaction for 48 h with high grafting rate. Using VBCP-BSA as emulsifier， the homogeneous pink nanoemulsions was prepared and denoted as EOFAZ@VBCP-BSA/VB₁₂. The particle size of the nanoemulsions was less than 100 nm and the particle size distribution was uniform. The surface of the nanoemulsions was a weak negative charge， and the shape was spherical. The encapsulation rate of the nanoemulsions for EOFAZ was greater than 80%， which had a good absorption effect in vitro and could enhance liver accumulation after oral administration. ConclusionThe designed proteoglycan nanoemulsions can effectively load EOFAZ， promote oral absorption and enhance liver distribution， which can provide experimental basis for the development of oral EOFAZ liver protection preparations.

Objective To study the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution characteristics of overweight/obese patients in Shanghai region and to investigate the correlation of TCM constitution with body composition.Methods Relevant data were collected from the patients with complete information of TCM constitution and human body composition analysis who visited the specialized outpatient clinic of acup-moxibustion catgut embedding therapy in the Department of Endocrinology,Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital from August 2020 to December 2022.The patients were divided into a normal body mass group(BMI＜24 kg/m2),an overweight group(24 kg/m2≤BMI＜28 kg/m2)and obesity group(BMI≥28 kg/m2),and then the distribution of TCM constitution types in the three groups of patients were analyzed.After that,the correlation between TCM constitution and body composition were explored with multiple regression analysis.Results(1)A total of 315 patients were included,of which 43 patients had normal body mass,85 patients were overweight and 187 patients were obese.(2)The TCM constitution types in descending order of the composition ratio in the normal body mass group and in the overweight group were spleen deficiency constitution,liver stagnation constitution,damp-heat constitution,yang deficiency constitution,and yin deficiency constitution,in the obese group were spleen deficiency constitution,yang deficiency constitution,damp-heat constitution,liver stagnation constitution,and yin deficiency constitution,and in the overweight/obese group were spleen deficiency constitution,damp-heat constitution,yang deficiency constitution,liver stagnation constitution,and yin deficiency constitution.No statistically significant differences of the distribution of TCM constitution types were shown between normal body bass population and overweight/obese population(P＞0.05).In both normal body mass population and overweight/obese population,the single body constitution type was common,and biased constitution was rare,and there was no statistically significant difference when comparing between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the basal metabolism of all patients was positively correlated with yang deficiency constitution and was negatively correlated with damp-heat constitution,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).It is indicated that if the score of yang deficiency constitution rose by one point,the basal metabolism would increase by 0.54 kcal,and if the score of damp-heat constitution decreased by one point,the basal metabolism would decrease by 1.005 kcal.Conclusion In Shanghai region,obesity may be the main indication of the variation of the body constitution.In addition to spleen deficiency constitution,the proportions of yang deficiency constitution,damp-heat constitution and liver stagnation constitution are also higher in obese patients.In terms of the correlation between TCM constitution and body composition,basal metabolism is positively correlated with yang deficiency constitution and is negatively correlated with damp-heat constitution.Therefore,for the patients with yang deficiency constitution and damp-heat constitution,the influence of the basal metabolism level on the development of the disease should be taken into account.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Modified Tongxie Yaofang(Important Formula for Relieving Diarrhea with Pain)in the treatment of patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)with liver-depression and spleen-deficiency syndrome.Methods Sixty patients with IBS-D of liver depression and spleen deficiency type were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,30 patients in each group.The patients in the treatment group were given modified Tongxie Yaofang,and the patients in the control group were given Pivacurium Bromide Tablets(Dicetel).Both groups were treated for a 4-week course of treatment.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,irritable bowel syndrome quality of life(IBS-QOL)scores,Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)scores of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the efficacy for overall symptomatic improvement in the two groups was evaluated according to the grading of irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity score(IBS-SSS),and the efficacy for improving single symptom such as abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as the relapse after 4 weeks of drug cessation in the two groups were compared.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for overall symptomatic improvement in the treatment group was 83.33%(25/30),and that in the control group was 43.33%(13/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy for overall symptomatic improvement in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for improving single symptom of abdominal pain and diarrhea in the treatment group was 80.00%(24/30),90.00%(27/30),and that in the control group was 43.33%(13/30),46.67%(14/30),respectively.The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy for improving single symptom of abdominal pain and diarrhea in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After 4 weeks of treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,IBS-QOL scores,and HAMA scores of patients in both groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After 4 weeks of drug withdrawal,the recurrence rate of the treatment group was 24.00%(6/25),which was significantly lower than that of the control group(61.54%,8/13),and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Modified Tongxie Yaofang exerts certain effect in treating patients with IBS-D of liver depression and spleen deficiency type,and the decoction is effective on decreasing the scores of symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as TCM syndrome scores,improving the quality of life of the patients,and alleviating the anxiety status of the patients.

BACKGROUND:For the replacement treatment of long-segment tracheal defects,although tissue engineering research has made some progress in recent years,it is still not perfect,and one of the biggest difficulties is that the hemodynamic reconstruction of the tracheal replacement cannot be achieved rapidly. OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily explore the potential of polycaprolactone scaffolds modified with exosome-loaded hydrogels to construct a rapidly vascularized tracheal substitute. METHODS:Exosomes were extracted from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of SD rats.After preparation of hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution,the exosome solution was mixed with hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.Hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels loaded with exosomes were prepared under ultraviolet irradiation for 5 minutes.The degradation of exosome-unloaded hydrogels and the controlled release of exosome-loaded hydrogels were detected.Polycaprolactone scaffolds were prepared by 3D printing.The pure hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution and the exosome-loaded hyaluronic acid methacrylate solution were respectively added to the surface of the scaffold.Hydrogel-modified scaffolds and exosome-modified scaffolds were obtained after ultraviolet irradiation.Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each group and subcutaneously implanted with simple scaffolds,hydrogel-modified scaffolds and exosome-modified scaffolds,respectively.At 30 days after surgery,the scaffolds and surrounding tissues of each group were removed.Neovascularization was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining and the expression of CD31 was detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As time went by,the hydrogel degraded gradually,and the exosomes enclosed in the hydrogel were gradually released,which could be sustained for more than 30 days.The exosome release rate was faster than the degradation rate of the hydrogel itself,and nearly 20%of the exosomes were still not released after 30 days of soaking.(2)Under a scanning electron microscope,the surface of the simple polycaprolactone scaffold was rough.After hydrogel modification,a layer of gel was covered between the pores of the scaffold,and the scaffold surface became smooth and dense.(3)After 30 days of subcutaneous embedding,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining showed that more neovascularization was observed inside the scaffolds of the exosome-modified scaffold group compared with the hydrogel-modified scaffold group.The hydrogels on the scaffolds of the two groups were not completely degraded.Immunofluorescence staining showed that CD31 expression in the exosome-modified scaffold group was higher than that in the hydrogel-modified scaffold group(P<0.000 1).(4)These results indicate that hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels can be used as controlled-release carriers for exosomes.The 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffold modified by hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogel loaded with exosomes has good biocompatibility and has the potential to promote the formation of neovascularization.

BACKGROUND:Total knee arthroplasty is one of the effective methods to treat end-stage knee osteoarthritis.However,some patients still experience chronic post-surgical pain.It is significant to find out the influencing factors of chronic post-surgical pain.Demographic factors,social psychological factors and perioperative pain were the focus of previous studies,but muscle factors closely related to the occurrence and development of knee osteoarthritis were rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the value of preoperative quantitative ultrasound analysis of quadriceps femoris in predicting chronic post-surgical pain after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:A total of 250 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent the first unilateral total knee arthroplasty under elective general anesthesia from January to August 2022 in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected.All patients were treated with the same anesthesia and operative methods.Before the surgery,clinical data were recorded,and the thickness and echo intensity of quadriceps femoris on the operated side were measured by ultrasound imaging,which could quantify the degree of quadriceps femoris atrophy.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent factors affecting the occurrence of chronic post-surgical pain,and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate its predictive value. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)250 subjects were involved in the result analysis,and 91 of them had chronic post-surgical pain,with an incidence of 36.4%.(2)There were significant differences between the chronic pain and non-chronic pain groups in preoperative pain score during movement,preoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index,preoperative anxiety and depression scale score,preoperative muscle thickness and echo intensity of quadriceps femoris,and postoperative acute pain score(P<0.05).(3)Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative thickness of quadriceps femoris was an independent protective factor for chronic post-surgical pain and preoperative pain score during movement was an independent risk factor for chronic post-surgical pain.(4)Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the curve of the preoperative thickness of quadriceps femoris was 0.625(95%CI:0.555-0.695),and the critical value was 2.78 cm,sensitivity was 0.802,specificity was 0.415.(5)It is concluded that the preoperative thickness of quadriceps femoris is an independent protective factor for chronic post-surgical pain,but its predictive efficacy is low,and its clinical application needs to be further verified or modified.